Vehicle Maintenance

  • Noticing an Emergency on your Dashboard

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA will prepare you for the next time your vehicle shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

  • Out With the Old, In With the New or Used - Transmission Replacement Options

    Transmission

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, a big part of our job is helping you make decisions that are right for you, and your car, truck or SUV. When it comes to replacing a transmission there are a lot of options out there; we’re here to help you make the right choice.

  • Proper Maintenance for Your Transmission

    transmission

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we see a lot of the same mistakes that cause a transmission to fail. With our help, you can avoid a preventable transmission failure and keep your car reliably on the road.

  • Properly Maintaining Your Battery

    headlights

    Your car’s radio and headlights, plus a slew of other important functions, are powered by an electrical current generated by your vehicle’s engine. A vital part of generating electricity is having a place to store it while it’s not being used. This is where your car battery comes into play. The battery of your vehicle holds electrical energy while the car is off in order to help the engine turn over and create a spark to start internal combustion. Without a working battery, your car will not be able to start. If you allow our team here at Ponci's Diesel Center to perform proper maintenance, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years.

  • Protect Your Exhaust from Damage

    The exhaust on your truck is an important series of components, that work together to ensure smooth, reliable operation. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, we also know that exhaust systems are especially susceptible to damage and rust; pipes, mufflers, and other parts are exposed to hazards on the road, and to the environment. This situation, combined with caustic emissions and extreme heat, creates a perfect opportunity for problems to arise.

  • Protect Your Vehicle From Transmission Shifting Issues

    gear shift on a vehicle

    If your transmission isn’t shifting correctly, you’ll want to be careful about how you choose to proceed. The best thing to do is turn the vehicle off and have a professional take a look at it, but if that isn’t an option, there are some steps you can take to ensure nothing gets damaged. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA we can take a look at your issues and also give you some tips on what to do when that option isn't available yet. 

  • Quality Work for Your Quality Vehicle

    quality car parked

    If you drive a Mercedes, Porsche, Subaru, BMW, Jaguar, or other performance and luxury vehicle, you’re a person who appreciates the value of quality. At Ponci's Diesel Center, we share that appreciation - that’s why we specialize in quality cars and take pride in quality work.

  • Quality Work is as Important as a Quality Product

    transmission repair

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we pride ourselves on specialty knowledge and ability. Once you’ve settled on a transmission to invest in, it’s important not to cut corners on the homestretch. We’ve got you covered here and you can expect top quality repairs for your top quality product.

  • Radiator Cooling Fan Won’t Turn Off?

    Automotive radiator

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we know how annoying little quirks and issues can be. A common problem vehicles experience is a cooling fan that doesn’t kick on and off when it’s supposed to. While a fan that won’t kick off is far less troubling than a fan that won’t turn on, it’s still a problem that needs to be fixed for a variety of reasons. Here’s why, and what you should do.

  • Replacement Engine Maintenance to Keep Your Engine Running

    Engine Maintenance

    Once your engine is installed, you’ll want to keep it running right. Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA has you covered. Sometimes, engines just wear out - however, most of the time they meet an early demise as a result of improper maintenance. Keep your engine running like new by maintaining it the way your technician recommends.

  • Replacing Shock Absorbers

    shocks  image

    Tires may be the only part of a vehicle that physically meets the road, but your shock absorbers are next in line. Working with the suspension springs, they absorb shocks from bumps and cracks in the road, while simultaneously controlling bounce and body roll.

  • Replacing Shock Absorbers

    Shock absorbers in vehicle

    Tires may be the only part of a vehicle that physically meets the road, but your shock absorbers are next in line. Working with the suspension springs, they absorb shocks from bumps and cracks in the road, while simultaneously controlling bounce and body roll.

  • Routine Maintenance for Your Diesel

    oil being poured into a funnel

    Oil changes are integral to the performance, longevity, and reliability of your diesel truck. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, our expert mechanics understand the importance of good quality oil, changed at correct intervals, in allowing you to get the most out of your Cummins, Powerstroke, or Duramax diesel.

  • Signs, You May Need New Brakes

    Brakes on a wheel

    A car that brakes well and brakes correctly are just as important as acceleration, handling, or any other aspect of a vehicle’s drivability. A car with brake issues has the potential to be a far more enjoyable ride when fixed.  Your brakes have a lot to do with how your car drives. Brakes are a frequently neglected item on a lot of people’s checklists, and many drivers on the road have subpar brakes and don’t even know it. 

  • Taking Proper Care of Your Transmission

    Transmission inside of vehicle

    While transmissions are extremely complicated and it takes a professional hand to work on one, taking care of the one you have isn’t difficult. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we understand the importance of caring for your transmission properly, so that it stays in good condition for as long as possible.

  • The ABS Light - why is it on, and what should you do?

    abs light on dash lit up

    Have you ever noticed your dashboard ABS icon lit up? If you have it means there is an issue that needs to be diagnosed, ABS issues don’t need to be ignored long. The anti-lock braking system, or ABS, is an important feature on every modern car, truck, or SUV. It has been legally mandated since 2013 in the US but was standard on almost every vehicle even prior to that. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your ABS system doesn’t fail, from Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA.

  • The Importance of Brake Bleeding

    Mechanic bleeding a brake system

    If you’ve ever been in an emergency braking situation, you’re probably all too aware that the brakes are the most important safety system on your vehicle. And like many other systems in a vehicle, the brakes need regular upkeep to continue functioning properly. One way to preserve the integrity of the braking system is through brake bleeding, and while it may not be as well known as certain services like oil changes, it is a key maintenance item for a vehicle.

  • The Importance of Maintaining Your Battery

    battery diagnostics being ran on a car battery by a mechanic

    Your vehicle's radio and headlights, plus a slew of other important functions, are powered by an electrical current generated by your vehicle’s engine. A vital part of generating electricity is having a place to store it while it’s not being used, which is where a car battery comes into play. The battery holds electrical energy while a car is off in order to help the engine turn over and create a spark to start internal combustion. Without a working battery, your car will not be able to start. If you perform proper maintenance, however, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years.

  • The value of oil changes

    oil being poured into an  engine

    At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we know that over the past decade, depending on what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive, it may seem like oil changes have gotten more expensive, and there are more options from synthetic to standard 10w/30 oil.  What kind is best for your vehicle and is the higher price worth the cost? 

  • Time to Replace Your Diesel Engine? Let's Explore Your Options

    diesel

    Whether you drive a Chevy, Dodge, or Ford diesel truck, there are a variety of options out there for a replacement engine. Depending on your truck's worth, it may depend on the type of engine and the amount of money you want to put into it. You can purchase a used, rebuilt, remanufactured, or even new diesel engine to replace your old. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we’re here to help you choose the right one. 

  • Jasper Pref
  • Acdelco
  • Air Dog
  • Air Lift Tow and Haul
  • Auto Zone
  • BD Diesel
  • Bosch Automotive
  • Bully Dog
  • Cummins Diesel
  • Diablosport
  • Draw-Tite Hitches
  • Duramax Diesel
  • Dynomite Diesel
  • FASS
  • Ford Power Stroke Diesel
  • Industrial Injection
  • Magnaflow
  • MBRP
  • Motorcraft Parts
  • Reese Hitches
  • Superchips
  • Valvoline
  • 12 Month Warranty
  • Welding

Ponci's Diesel Center

770 S Fortuna Blvd
Fortuna, CA 95540
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We are now open on Fridays!
MON-THURS: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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